7 CFR 922.10 - Size.

Size means the greatest diameter, measured through the center of the apricot, at right angles to a line running from the stem to the blossom end, or such other specification as may be established by the committee with the approval of the Secretary.

This is a list of United States Code sections, Statutes at Large, Public Laws, and Presidential Documents, which provide rulemaking authority for this CFR Part.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule an interim rule that implemented a recommendation from the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2017-2018 and subsequent fiscal periods. The interim rule was necessary to allow the Committee to reduce its financial reserve while still providing adequate funding to meet program expenses. This final rule also makes administrative revisions to the subpart headings to bring the language into conformance with the Office of Federal Register requirements.

Effective September 18, 2017. Comments received by November 14, 2017, will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule.

7 CFR Part 922

Summary

This rule implements a recommendation from the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for a decrease in the assessment rate established for the 2017-2018 and subsequent fiscal periods from $1.40 to $1.00 per ton of apricots handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order and is comprised of growers and handlers of apricots operating within the area of production. Assessments upon apricot handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This rule implements a recommendation from the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2016-17 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.75 to $1.40 per ton of Washington apricots handled under the marketing order. The Committee, which is composed of growers and handlers, locally administers the order which regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon apricot handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for the 2016-17 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.75 to $1.40 per ton of Washington apricots handled under the marketing order. The Committee, which is composed of growers and handlers, locally administers the order which regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon apricot handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

The Department of Agriculture is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that implemented a recommendation from the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) to decrease the assessment rate from $1.50 to $0.75 per ton of Washington apricots handled for the 2015-2016 and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committee locally administers the marketing order and is comprised of apricot producers and handlers operating within designated counties in Washington. The interim rule was necessary to allow the Committee to reduce its financial reserve while still providing adequate funding to meet program expenses.

Effective August 20, 2015. Comments received by October 19, 2015, will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule.

7 CFR Part 922

Summary

This rule implements a recommendation from the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for a decrease in the assessment rate from $1.50 to $0.75 per ton of Washington apricots handled for the 2015-2016 and subsequent fiscal periods. The Committee locally administers the marketing order and is comprised of producers and handlers of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon apricot handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins April 1 and ends March 31. The new assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended or terminated.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that suspended the handling regulations and inspection requirements prescribed under the marketing order for apricots grown in designated Counties in Washington (order). The interim rule suspended the minimum grade, size, quality, maturity, and inspection requirements of the order for the remainder of the 2013-2014 fiscal period and subsequent fiscal periods. This rule is expected to reduce overall industry expenses and increase net returns to growers and handlers.

This rule increases the assessment rate established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2013-2014 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.50 to $1.50 per ton of Washington apricots handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon apricot handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period began on April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

Effective October 24, 2013. Comments received by December 23, 2013 will be considered prior to the issuance of a final rule.

7 CFR Part 922

Summary

This rule suspends the minimum grade, size, quality, maturity, and inspection requirements prescribed under the Washington apricot marketing order (order) for the remainder of the 2013-2014 fiscal period and subsequent fiscal periods. The order regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington and is administered locally by the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee). This rule follows a suspension of the handling regulations that was enacted in the 2012-2013 fiscal period, and is expected to reduce overall industry expenses and increase net returns to growers and handlers.

This proposed rule would increase the assessment rate established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2013-2014 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.50 to $1.50 per ton of Washington apricots handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon apricot handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the marketing order. The fiscal period begins April 1 and ends March 31. The higher rate is deemed necessary to fund an increase in the Committee's proposed budget and replenish its reserve. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified or suspended, or if the marketing order were terminated.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that temporarily suspended the handling regulations and inspection requirements prescribed under the marketing order for apricots grown in designated Counties in Washington. The interim rule suspended the minimum grade, size, quality, maturity, and inspection requirements for the 2012-2013 fiscal period. This change is expected to reduce overall industry expenses and increase net returns to producers and handlers.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that decreased the assessment rate established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2012-13 and subsequent fiscal periods from $1.50 to $0.50 per ton of Washington apricots handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order that regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. The interim rule decreased the assessment rate to reflect a reduction in the manager's salary and the Committee's operating expenditures.

Effective January 9, 2013 through March 31, 2013; comments received by March 11, 2013 will be considered prior to the issuance of a final rule.

7 CFR Part 922

Summary

This rule suspends the minimum grade, size, quality, maturity, and inspection requirements prescribed under the Washington apricot marketing order for the 2012-13 fiscal period. The marketing order regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated Counties in Washington and is administered locally by the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee). In order for the Committee to continue collecting assessments and administer the marketing order, the Washington State Department of Agriculture will provide apricot handling data to the Committee during the suspension of the handling regulations. This rule is expected to reduce overall industry expenses and increase net returns to producers and handlers.

Effective December 7, 2012. Comments received by February 4, 2013, will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule.

7 CFR Part 922

Summary

This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2012-13 and subsequent fiscal periods from $1.50 to $0.50 per ton of Washington apricots handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of apricots grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon apricot handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended or terminated.